Correlation analysis of vascular endothelial growth factor with blood-retinal barrier breakdown in early diabetes in rats

Objective To determine whether there was correlation between the level of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)mRNA and early blood-retinal barrier breakdown in experimental diabetes rats,and to identify the breakdown sites.Methods One hundred and forty-four male Wistar rats were divided into experimental diabetes group and normal control group(72 rats for each).Retinal VEGF mRNA level of both groups was quantified in 3,5,10,and 14 day by RT-PCR.Red florescent mocrosphere was used to localize blood-retinal barrier breakdown.Results Retinal VEGF mRNA level of experimental diabetes rats was increased as time went by.And their early blood-retinal barrier breakdown was localized to the retinal venules and capillaries of the superficial retinal vasculature.Conclusions There is correlation between the level of VEGF mRNA and early blood-retinal barrier breakdown,and the breakdown is localized to the retinal venules and capillaries of the superficial retinal vasculature.